Sharing Jesus at the Commonwealth Games

A GFA worker is distributing tracts at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India. More than 125,000 tracts were distributed during the 10-day event.

Missionaries, students and leaders distributed Gospel tracts to people visiting India for the games, as well as the local people who happened to be near the games’ venue.

This taxi driver immediately read the Gospel tract he received.

Team members took time to talk to the people who received tracts and New Testaments. They also prayed for various problems they were facing in their lives.

When athletes from 54 countries arrived in Delhi, India, for the Commonwealth Games on October 3, they were met with much fanfare and treated to India’s world-renowned hospitality. Many were also greeted in the name of the Lord, thanks to 41 Gospel for Asia-supported Bible college students, missionaries and leaders.

The GFA workers put aside their own work for 10 days and spent their time ensuring that the athletes heard the message of Jesus.

The Commonwealth Games is a sporting event that draws competitors from The Commonwealth of Nations. Each of the 54 countries represented in the Commonwealth Games Federation, including India, were, at one time ruled by the British empire. The athletes participate in Olympic-style competitions and games that are unique to the Commonwealth countries, such as rugby and lawn bowling.

Before the games started, Gospel for Asia provided Bibles and Christian books to be distributed in the athlete’s living quarters.

During the course of the games, the students, missionaries and staff went to the game sites each day to hand out Gospel tracts and New Testaments. Through this avenue, they were able to share the Gospel with thousands of people, including those who came to India for the games and also to local people who were working in the area where the games were held.

More than 125,000 Gospel tracts and 15,000 New Testaments were distributed during the games.

Many who received the books and tracts wanted to know more about Jesus. One man who received and read the tract even went to the ministry office and asked them to send a missionary to his home to explain about Jesus.

Those involved in the Commonwealth Games outreach shared the following prayer requests:

Pray for everyone who received a tract or a New Testament, that they would read them and make a decision about Christ.

Pray for the man who visited the office and is now hearing about Jesus for the first time.

Pray for the missionaries, students and leaders as they follow up with many who received the tracts.